Key Stage 4 Choices @Wilmslow High School S
Getting the balance right S A broad and balanced curriculum that provides students with plenty of options in the future S Some courses can be picked up again at A Level S Effort and performance are expected and remain important for the whole of Year 9 in every subject
What does a “broad and balanced” KS4 curriculum look like? In order to ensure that you study a broad and balanced KS4 curriculum that will keep your future options open we expect the majority of you to study: S English (both Language & Literature) and mathematics S Double or Triple Science S At least one additional English Baccalaureate subject S Two to three further subjects chosen from the full range of options In addition, you will continue to receive PE and PSHCE S lessons.
How are we preparing our students for the new GCSEs? We are using GCSE grades on Year 9 indicators S We are using more GCSE-derived assessment tasks during Year 9 S We are expecting students to explicitly reflect upon and respond to the feedback they get S on class work and homework – without this, the effort and hard work put in by students and teachers can lose impact S We are reinforcing the importance of reading with our students with our expectation S that students read for at least 30 minutes a day We are emphasising the need for students to build their stock of “powerful knowledge” – S knowledge held in their minds, ready for recall and use in interpreting the value and S significance of information gathered later
Our advice to students You should choose courses that: You think you can do well in, and that you find interesting and challenging. S Provide you with a broad and balanced programme of study providing plenty of S options in the future. May be useful in your future university, training and career decisions. S You should not choose a course: Because your friend is doing it. S Because you like, or dislike, the teachers. We cannot say who your teachers will be S at this stage. Because it is new. S Because you think it will be easy. Remember that all GCSEs are designed to be S challenging.
National Careers Service https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/youngpeople/Pages/Youngpeople.aspx
Key Stage 4 Course Choices Timetable Monday 11 th – Launch of KS4 Course Choice process Thursday 14 th January Sequence of assemblies for Year 9 students from each House 2016 Wednesday 20 th KS4 Course Choices Evening: Market place format in various locations around school with: January 2016 opening address (6.00 – 6.15pm) 6.00 - 8.00 pm all curriculum teams offering course choices at Key Stage 4; careers advice drop-in opportunity. Staff will be available to discuss whether the courses they offer will suit your child. Students should accompany parents in full school uniform. Monday 29 th January Deadline for submission of Initial Course Choices We will use the information submitted through the VLE to: 2016 provide additional advice and guidance to students regarding the suitability of their initial course choices; determine whether there should be any change to course availability. Friday 26 th February Final Course Choice form issued to students This form will contain the initial choices submitted online on the Initial Course Choice 2016 form, giving parents and students a final chance to discuss the selected courses. Thursday 10 th March Year 9 Parents' Evening Opportunity to discuss progress in those subjects presently studied and gain further advice 2016 regarding which courses to study in Years 10 and 11. Monday 14 th March Deadline for return of Final Course Choices form to tutors 2016 Summer term Confirmation of Course Choice letter issued to students
Initial Course Choice form
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